Paul Finebaum returns to the airwaves with ESPN

Finebaum%27s show was considered by many to be the be all and end all on college football in the South

Finebaum doesn%27t anticipate changes other than a new location and better resources

Jim is bored to death. Darriel went crazy. Tammy took a second job.

That's what happens when Paul Finebaum goes off the air.

Finebaum, a sports talk-radio host whose show was considered by many to be the be all and end all on college football in the South, has been on a 6-month hiatus after his contract with WJOX 94.5 FM in Birmingham, Ala. ended in January. But as of Monday, he's back. This time on ESPN.

So what have his most famous callers — those on a first-named basis — been doing for half a year without their beloved Finebaum? Afternoons haven't been the same.

"Paul has got the best persona out of anyone I've ever seen, including Rush Limbaugh, and you can quote me on that," said Jim from Tuscaloosa, a longtime Finebaum caller who asked that his last name not be used because of past run-ins with other listeners. "He's outstanding. Has gravitas."

Tammy Hethcox, who claims to be the show's loudest caller, said: "It was pretty hard at first. I've been working from 3-7 so I have something to do."

All callers who spoke with USA TODAY Sports about the show said they haven't enjoyed radio in the interim.

"The shows on the air now stink all across America," Jim said. "They're boring. Horrible hosts. They interview each other, not the callers. That's what's so great about Finebaum. He puts himself second most of the time. You couldn't get me to listen to ESPN radio for five seconds if Finebaum wasn't coming on."

Finebaum's philosophy is to have a caller-driven show. Originating from Birmingham since the early '90s, most callers were Alabama and Auburn fans. Then several years ago when Finebaum went national on SiriusXM radio, it added a new dynamic. Fans from Ohio State, Georgia, Southern Cal, etc. could chime in.

Fans miss the show, and they aren't alone.

"Being on the air isn't that important to me, but I do miss the interaction," Finebaum said. "I miss the fun of it. It's a cliché to say that's my extended family, but in many respects, that is true. These people are part of my life. And an important part of my life. I really don't think without them I'd be where I am."

Over the years, Finebaum invited callers to Christmas parties and luncheons. He gave the eulogy at one regular (Shane)'s funeral. Another (Smokey) called the show from the hospital while he was having a heart attack.

"In radio, I'm looking for a lot of things during a program," Finebaum said. "Unpredictability is high on the list. I want people to be hanging on the edge of their seat."

Jim is the epitome of that. He's been calling in since 2001 and Finebaum never knows what topic he's going to bring up. Jim is an Alabama fan, but is one of the few callers who isn't afraid to turn on his team. He also talks about politics and current events. Sometimes he'll rant for a full segment, which could last as long as 10 minutes.

"You never know when he's gonna call, but I do know one thing: When he calls, he's going on the air," Finebaum said. "It doesn't matter whether Nick Saban, Barack Obama or the Pope is on the line, we will go to Jim."

Hethcox, an Auburn fan, is the one Finebaum hears about the most. She first began calling the show in 2008 when her FedEx driver told her about it. Eventually she got so tired of all the Alabama fans, she called in.

"People talked about me for a whole week after," she said. "Then finally someone said I didn't have enough teeth, I didn't have this or that, so I made my second call and kept on after that."

The Paul Finebaum Show will air from 2-6 p.m. ET. ESPN could not confirm how many affiliates have committed to airing the show.

So what will be different about the show? Finebaum doesn't anticipate changes other than it will be broadcasted from Charlotte, N.C. and have better resources being an ESPN product.

"I've said this before and I'll say it as long as I'm doing radio," Finebaum said. "There are better shows in the country with better guests, who may have better hosts, but no show has better callers."